2026 Mock Draft Puts Peterson No. 1, Highlights Schedule Races, Contract Risks, Weaver Hire
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Kansas guard Darryn Peterson headlines ESPN analyst Jeremy Woo’s latest 2026 NBA mock draft, slotting first overall ahead of BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Duke center Cameron Boozer, and North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson.
Woo notes that Peterson’s elite scoring makes him the class’s top offensive talent, yet recent injuries and uneven play have raised concerns about selecting him No. 1. According to Woo, the eventual lottery winner could decide between Peterson and Dybantsa, who remain the leading candidates for the top spot.
Illinois guard Keaton Wagler jumps to No. 6 and Texas wing Dailyn Swain climbs to No. 29 after strong seasons, while Kansas forward Koa Peat drops to No. 19 and Baylor wing Tounde Yessefou slips to No. 30, Woo writes.
Strength-of-Schedule Impact
ESPN’s Dean Oliver examines how the remaining schedule could influence playoff seeding. His analysis focuses on the battle for the third and fourth seeds in the Western Conference, the race for No. 2 in the East, and the contest for the fifth and sixth spots in the East.
Risky Contracts on the Horizon
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus projects which NBA deals could become liabilities by the 2027-28 season. He labels Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s upcoming super-max extension—worth a projected $273.3 million over four years—as the league’s riskiest contract despite the reigning MVP’s strong odds of earning every dollar.
Weaver Takes Over Brisbane Bullets
Former NBA assistant coach Will Weaver has accepted the roles of head coach and president of basketball operations for the Brisbane Bullets of Australia’s National Basketball League. Weaver, who guided the Sydney Kings in 2019-20, told ESPN’s Olgun Uluc he will finish the 2025-26 season as a coaching advisor with the Charlotte Hornets before moving full-time to Brisbane. The Bullets are one of nine Australian clubs in the NBL, which also features one team from New Zealand.
Source: Hoops Rumors
